Politics of the Environment

Politics of the Environment
identify an argument related to the question and support that argument with
evidence from academic sources. The argument should be stated clearly in a
thesis statement and then supported throughout the paper using sources as
evidence. The paper will be evaluated based not on the position you decide to
support, there is no right or wrong answer, but on the quality of your argument
and how you deploy evidence (your sources) to support that argument.
In writing your paper, you must use at least 4 sources. 2 sources can be from the
textbook or the sample references with each question and you must locate at
least 2 additional academic sources. You may of course also use additional
readings from the course or other sources located by you. All sources must be
referred to in the text of the paper and not just listed in the bibliography (as per
standard APA rules).
Your paper must include:
• An introduction that states your thesis and outlines the layout of your
paper.
• A clear statement of your thesis in support or opposition to the question
posed.
• A clearly developed argument, using evidence from your 4 academic
sources, in support of your thesis.
• A conclusion that restates your thesis and the argument found in your
paper.
• The paper must use the APA citation and reference list format.
Questions
1. Role of Science
For this topic you must select one of the environmental issues we have
focused on (forests, water, toxins policy, climate change, endangered
species, or pesticides) and how science (or scientists) play a role in
decision making around that issue. For example, you could examine the
role of the IPCC in decision making about climate change.
Sample Sources:
• Grundman, R. (2007). Climate change and knowledge politics.
Environmental Politics 16 (3), 414-432.
• Houck, O. (2004). Tales from a Troubled Marriage: Science and
Law in Environmental Policy. Science 302, 1926-1929.
• Sarewitz, D. (2004). How science makes environmental
controversies worse. Environmental Science and Policy 7, 385-403.
2. Environmental Justice
For this topic you must select one of the environmental issues we have
focused on (forests, water, toxins policy, climate change, endangered
species, or pesticides) and argue how (or if) that issue disproportionately
affects a group based on race, culture, or gender. For example, you could
examine how indigenous people in Canada (or a specific place in Canada)
are disproportionately affected by the pollution of water.
Sample sources:
• Teelucksingh, C. (2007). Environmental racialization: Linking
racialization to the environment in Canada. Local Environment 12
(6), 645-661.
• Debbane, A. & Keil, R. (2004). Multiple disconnections:
environmental justice and urban water in Canada and South Africa.
Space and Polity 8 (2).
• Mascarenhas, M. (2007). Where the waters divide: First nations,
tainted water and environmental justice in Canada. Local
Environment 12 (6).
Reminder
All written assignments are to be submitted in hardcopy in class as well as an
electronic copy submitted through Turnitin.com on the day they are due. Both the
hardcopy and turnitin.com copies must be submitted on the due date for the
assignment to be considered on time. Emailed assignments will not be accepted
under any circumstances. Students may choose not to submit to turnitin.com but
must contact the instructor prior to the due date and must complete an annotated
bibliography for the assignment. Please see instructor for further details.
A late penalty of 5% per day (including weekends) will be assessed on any
assignments turned in after the due date. Assignments more than five days
overdue will not be accepted.
Extensions will only be granted in extenuating circumstances and require
appropriate documentation such as a Ryerson medical form. If this becomes
necessary, please contact the instructor as early as possible. Students asking for
last minute extensions will be asked to provide evidence of work in progress.